President Bola Tinubu has reportedly directed Abdullahi Ganduje to resign from his role as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite Ganduje citing health reasons for his departure.
Sources close to the party disclosed that Ganduje’s resignation was not entirely voluntary. Insiders claim the decision was influenced by plans to nominate the former Kano State governor for an ambassadorial role, as well as broader political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Following his resignation, Alhaji Bukar Dalori, the Deputy National Chairman (North), assumed the position of acting national chairman. Staff at the APC national secretariat in Abuja were said to be surprised by the sudden development, especially after Ganduje’s personal items were cleared from his office.
Though the APC has yet to release an official statement, a special convention is reportedly in the works to elect a new party chairman. Among the names being considered is Senator Tanko Al-Makura, a former governor of Nasarawa State, who is viewed as a top contender.
Ganduje’s exit is also believed to be part of ongoing efforts to restructure party leadership to reflect regional power-sharing arrangements. With the possibility of a North West candidate being selected as vice-presidential nominee in 2027, the party may shift the chairmanship to the North Central zone, where Al-Makura hails from.
Ganduje, who took over as APC chairman in August 2023, faced multiple legal and political challenges during his brief tenure, including court orders and internal opposition from party factions. His resignation now paves the way for a fresh leadership phase within the ruling party, as both the APC and the presidency prepare for key political transitions in the coming years.
